These unprecedented times are calling on us all to be adaptive, responsive and innovative when it comes to addressing the needs, concerns and interests of our global skin of color dermatology community.

Since we have not been able to gather in person for several months at this point, by necessity we have created new ways to connect virtually to address the issues and challenges we are facing in dermatology and in society. Now more than ever, we have needed to connect, reflect and align—especially in light of how the pandemic has changed our lives so profoundly, amid the long overdue public awakening over racial injustices and healthcare disparities that have been affecting people of color for a very long time.

To meet this need, we introduced the Dermatology Diversity Town Hall Series, which has taken place over Zoom videoconferencing twice this summer. The inaugural program was held on June 30, 2020, titled, “Diversity, Disparities, Dialogue & Dermatology”. We had a phenomenal response to our first virtual Town Hall and Networking Session, with over 400 SOCS members, industry partners, and non-members registering from all over the USA and the world. The program was moderated by Seemal Desai, MD, FAAD, and featured Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD; Donald Glass, II, PhD, FAAD; Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD; Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD; Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD; and Ncoza Dlova, MBChB, FCDerm, SA. SOCS leaders shared their stories and insights, and participants contributed outstanding questions and comments, leading to a dynamic exchange of ideas. The full recording of this insightful program can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3h4q8pP

On August 11, 2020, we presented our next Dermatology Diversity Town Hall, “Addressing Disparities Impacting URM Medical Students During COVID-19,” which drew interest from more than 450 medical student registrants. This highly informative and interactive virtual program was moderated by Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD, and featured Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD; Sacharitha Bowers, MD; Candrice Rachelle Health, MD, FAAD; Loren Kreuger, MD; Kanade Shinkai, MD, PhD; and Michael Waul, MD. The Town Hall panelists responded to many excellent questions from participants, leading to a rich and enlightening experience. To access the full recording of this program, visit: https://bit.ly/317U52x

Watch for details coming soon about the upcoming Virtual Networking and Educational Symposia, sponsored by Pfizer.